I know it looks like I have gone running AWOL but I promise I have been running... well I have missed about two weeks of running... well I have missed 9 runs which is a total of 3 weeks. But one of those times instead of a 6 mile run I did a 6 mile hike. So I really missed like 8 runs. I was on vacation for a month and it was difficult to get the runs in.
This summer has been filled with all sorts of different running elements. The elevation change was crazy. I went from my usual 655 altitude to a 4500 altitude. The air is definitely thinner that high up and I felt it. I was in Utah for a week and I couldn't ever fuller breathe all the way. I never felt like my inhales were complete. But what I lacked in breath I never lacked in scenery. The view of the mountains was incredible.
I really wanted to hike while I was by those mountains so instead of a 6 mile run I went on a 6 mile hike with family and friends. It was so fun. And hard. Going up the mountain I felt like I was using muscles that I didn't even know I had. I am so used to running on flat surface that my muscles aren't used to hills.
We went on a 5.93 hike around Yellow Fork Canyon. It took 2 hours and 10 minutes. We went form 5628 ft to 6991 ft above sea level. The view from the top was just breath taking. Well I didn't really have any breath to take but it was gorgeous. What a world we live in!! Going down the mountain was fun, I ran most of the way down. I love trail running, it's so invigorating. Overall it was a great morning and a great hike.
One of the best parts about the hike was that I burned 1100 calories and could pretty much eat whatever that day!
After a week in Utah I spent 3 weeks in Upstate New York. That is where I missed out on a lot of runs. The sun comes up at 5:30 in the morning and my kids were all up early because of that. I didn't get very much sleep but we all had a great time. When I did run my body hated me. Upstate New York is very hilly. My legs are not used to hills. I thought Utah was hilly but no, Utah is mountainous but there is a lot of flat to run on. Upstate New York is rolling hills and it is hard to run. I have so much admiration for Upstate New York runners. They are awesome!
Running in New York was also awesome. It is still cool in the morning and not too hot to run even if you get a late start. I loved running there even with the hills. It was a nice change from the Texas heat I am used to. And you can't beat the view. Charming farms and rolling hills, freshly mowed lawns. It is just heaven on Earth. I even passed some cows, saw deer, and little bunnies.
I took a 12 minute running test on this trip and it gave me a new half marathon pace. I was running an 11:22 min/mile. This test showed I have improved and should plan on a 10:42 min/mile race pace. That would be amazing! But with missing so many runs I will realistically aim for an 11 to 11:22 min/mile pace.
Today was my first run since getting back to Texas. My training plan said to run 3.2 miles but I thought I would got for half of a half and run 6.5 miles. I set my alarm wrong and woke up late. In Texas the later you run the hotter it gets. So the sun was already out and warming up air when I got to running. At 3 miles I needed inspiration, but .3 miles later I rolled my ankle and had to stop 3.2 miles short of my goal. I think it's better to take care of myself than finish and have an injury. I did end up running the amount I was supposed to do so that's good.
Now that I am home from my vacation and I have about 4 weeks left in my training I am going to work hard! I didn't hurt my ankle too bad so I should be able to run on Tuesday. I just need to get into a good routine and wake up earlier.
It feels good to be back and I am ready to be blogging again!
*oh I forgot to mention that my incredible husband got me a hydration pack for my birthday and I love it!!
